Flood advancing in on city; subway, bus terminal, famed market still operational



BANGKOK, Nov 6 – Flooding from Ha Yak Lat Phrao intersection has slowly advanced in on the city while in its nearby areas, subway stations, the largest weekend market, and inter-provincial bus terminal are still open.

The run-off from the north creeps into the city, and this mass of water is predicted to possibly later reach the Victory Monument, which is a major transit point of the capital.

On Sunday, floodwater from Ha Yak Lat Phrao intersection was reported to arrive at Kamphaengphet junction in front of the Department of Land Transport on Phaholyothin Road.

Meanwhile, the subway stations, the Mo Chit 2 bus terminal and the famed Chatuchak Weekend Market in this affected area are still operating normally.

Ronnachit Yaemsaard, acting gorvernor of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA), said all 18 MRT stations provides services as usual but two stations - Ratchadapisek and Phaholyothin - are under close watch as floodwater near the stations keep rising by between one and two centimetres and have overflowed the first step of the MRT station entrance.

The subway commuters have reached 100,000 persons daily despite flooding, he said.

As flooding has expanding to the Chatuchak market, Thailand's largest weekend market covering areas of 70 rai, located not far from submerged Ha Yak Lat Phrao interesction, the market remained open on Sunday.

Chatuchak Market assistant-director Tinnakorn Rujinarong said although water has risen from drains in the market, opposite the Land Transport Department headquarters on Phaholyothin Road, the market was open today as water has been drained out of the market.

Mr Tinnakorn said the market however will assess the situation on a daily basis and, as of now, floodwater outside the market is as high as 50 centimetres but the visitors can enter the compound via Gate 1, 2 and 3.

Located nearby, the Month Chit 2 inter-provincial bus terminal to destinations in the North and the Northeast is operational as it is still dry despite some surrounding areas being flooded.

The Transport Company President Wuthichart Kanlayanamit said if the bus terminal is under 50 centimetres of water, the company may consider moving its bus services to another location. (MCOT online news)

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